Altrincham Grammar School for Boys
| Altrincham Grammar School for Boys | |
|---|---|
.JPG) | |
| Address | |
 | |
Marlborough Road Bowdon, Altrincham , , WA14 2RS England | |
| Information | |
| Type | Grammar school; Academy |
| Motto | Labor Omnia Vincit (Work conquers all) |
| Established | 1912 |
| Department for Education URN | 136458 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Headteacher | T J Gartside |
| Gender | Boys |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrollment | 1152 |
| Colour(s) | Green and red |
| Website | http://www.agsb.co.uk |
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys is a boys' grammar school in Altrincham, England.
Admissions
The school is a fully selective non-fee paying grammar school with admission via an entrance exam. It had foundation school status which allowed a degree of independence from the local education authority, but from 2011 under the government's education reforms, it attained Academy status.
History
Foundation
The school was founded as Altrincham County High School for Boys (ACHS) in 1912 as a result of the Balfour Education Act, to provide secondary education (partly fee-paying) for an area which stretched from Sale to Knutsford.
It opened with 57 pupils and 3 staff (Headmaster, Deputy and one secretary), housed in the red brick building which still forms the central block of the school today. The south wing and the assembly hall were added in 1938 and the science block, gymnasium and workshops in 1964.
Trafford
In 1974, the school passed from the control of Cheshire County Council to the newly formed Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council. It remained under Trafford's control until 1996 when it became a grant-maintained school. In 1999, it evolved into a foundation school, when grant-maintained school status was abolished.
This century
In September 2003, the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) awarded the school specialist school status as a Language College.[1]
Recent [when?] additions include new blocks for Art and Design Technology, new ICT (information and communication technologies suites, under the leadership of Mr Jan Timmins). The Stamford Hall canteen and the new sixth form block. In September 2011, a new Food Technology room opened. In 2011, the school won the British Schools Karting Championship, defeating over 450 teams and in 2012 came within tenths of a second of retaining their title, losing out to Caterham A, on fastest lap.
Notable former pupils
- Paul Allott - former Lancashire and England cricketer
- Roger Ashton-Griffiths - film actor
- Alan Barnes - jazz musician[2]
- Graham Brady - Conservative MP for Altrincham and Sale West from 1997 and Chairman of the 1922 Committee from 2010.
- Ian Brown - solo artist and former lead singer of the indie rock band the Stone Roses.
- Nick Cohen - journalist and author
- Ashley Taylor Dawson - Hollyoaks actor
- Mark Foster - record-producer and DJ
- Ronald Gow - dramatist, who returned to the school to teach in the 1920s
- Prof Ian Hargreaves, Editor of The Independent from 1994–96, and the New Statesman from 1996-8
- John Hopkins - conductor of the BBC Northern Orchestra from 1952–57, founder of the New Zealand Youth Orchestra and Director of Music at the Australian Broadcasting Commission 1963–73
- Steve Jackson - Co-founder of Games Workshop and Lionhead
- Ian Livingstone - Executive Chairman of Eidos Interactive, co-founder of Games Workshop and publisher of Tomb Raider and Lara Croft
- Prof John Morrill, Professor of British and Irish History at the University of Cambridge[3]
- John Squire - former guitarist of the indie rock band the Stone Roses
Former teachers
- Martin Boysen, climber and mountaineer (taught biology)[citation needed]
- Bill Mills, illustrator for Punch Magazine (taught art)
- Fred Talbot, weather forecaster (taught biology)[4]
The Old Altrinchamians' Association
The Old Altrinchamians' Association is a former pupils' society with golf, football and cricket sections. The Association also holds an Annual Reunion Dinner and publishes an annual newsletter.
Feeder Schools
Most of the schools in the local area enter their boys into the exams[citation needed]. The school does have a catchment area where a boy living very close-by can have a good chance, however some students travel all the way from Lymm and thus commute to and from school. Boys can also use the local Hale railway station, which is very close to the school.
References
- ^ "Specialist Schools Home". DfES. July 2006. Archived from the original on 3 August 2006. Retrieved 2 August 2006.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Bowen, Rick (28 June 2010), "Altrincham jazz great is coming home - Alan Barnes talks to Messenger", Messenger Newspapers, Newsquest Media Group
- ^ Professor John Morrill, Cambridge University, retrieved 15 May 2012
- ^ Fred's big day – Green Guide presenter honoured, Manchester Metropolitan University, 23 July 2007, retrieved 21 June 2011